Use our Maternity Benefit Amount Calculator to estimate maternity benefit in India under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, as amended in 2017. Calculate the estimated wage benefit and medical bonus based on your wages, days worked and maternity leave category.
Average daily wage is calculated from the wages entered for the preceding three calendar months divided by the number of days actually worked. The calculator then applies the higher applicable minimum wage or ₹10/day floor before estimating the wage benefit for the selected leave period.
How to Use the Maternity Benefit Amount Calculator
This Maternity Benefit Amount Calculator helps estimate the maternity benefit payable based on the employee’s wages, actual days worked during the preceding three calendar months and the applicable maternity benefit category.
- Select the applicable maternity benefit category.
- Enter the total wages earned during the three calendar months immediately preceding the period of maternity absence.
- Enter the number of days actually worked during those three calendar months.
- Enter the applicable minimum wage per day, if relevant.
- Select the medical-care option if the required pre-natal, confinement and post-natal care is provided free of charge.
- The calculator automatically updates the estimated maternity benefit amount based on the information entered.
What Is Maternity Benefit?
Maternity benefit is a wage-related benefit payable to an eligible woman employee during the period of maternity absence covered under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
The maternity benefit is linked to the employee’s average daily wage. The calculation therefore depends on the wages payable for the days actually worked during the relevant three-calendar-month period.
How Is Maternity Benefit Calculated?
The calculator uses the following calculation approach:
Average Daily Wage = Total wages during the preceding 3 calendar months ÷ Number of days actually worked
Applicable Daily Wage = Higher of the calculated average daily wage, applicable minimum wage per day or ₹10
Wage Benefit = Applicable daily wage × Applicable benefit days
Total Maternity Benefit = Wage benefit + Medical bonus
Average Daily Wage for Maternity Benefit
For maternity benefit purposes, the average daily wage is based on the wages payable to the woman for the days on which she actually worked during the three calendar months immediately preceding the date from which she absents herself on account of maternity.
The calculator therefore asks for both the total wages during those three months and the number of days actually worked, rather than simply dividing monthly salary by 30.
Example: If total wages during the preceding three calendar months were ₹75,000 and the employee actually worked 78 days, the calculated average daily wage would be approximately ₹961.54 before applying the applicable minimum-wage and statutory floor comparison.
Maternity Benefit for 26 Weeks
A woman with fewer than two surviving children may be entitled to maternity benefit for a maximum period of 26 weeks, subject to the applicable statutory conditions.
Of this period, not more than 8 weeks may precede the expected date of delivery.
Applicable leave period: 26 weeks (182 days).
Maternity Benefit for Third Child or Beyond
Where a woman has two or more surviving children, the maternity benefit period is 12 weeks, subject to the applicable statutory conditions.
Not more than 6 weeks of this period may precede the expected date of delivery.
Applicable leave period: 12 weeks (84 days).
Maternity Benefit for Adoption and Surrogacy
The Maternity Benefit Act provides specific maternity benefit provisions for an adopting mother and a commissioning mother, subject to the applicable statutory conditions.
Adoption
An eligible adopting mother may be entitled to a maternity benefit period of 12 weeks under the applicable provision.
Surrogacy
An eligible commissioning mother may be entitled to a maternity benefit period of 12 weeks under the applicable provision.
Medical Bonus Under the Maternity Benefit Act
A medical bonus may be payable where the employer does not provide the required pre-natal, confinement and post-natal care free of charge.
This calculator uses a medical bonus of ₹3,500. The applicable amount should be verified against the law and relevant statutory notifications at the time of payment.
If the required medical care is provided free of charge by the employer, the calculator excludes the medical bonus from the estimated total.
Maternity Benefit for Miscarriage or Medical Termination
In case of miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy, the applicable leave period is 6 weeks, subject to the conditions prescribed under the applicable law.
Applicable leave period: 6 weeks (42 days).
Eligibility for Maternity Benefit
Generally, a woman must have actually worked for at least 80 days in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of her expected delivery, subject to the applicable statutory provisions and coverage conditions.
This calculator does not verify eligibility. It is designed to estimate the amount of maternity benefit based on the information entered by the user.
Other Important Maternity Benefit Provisions
In addition to maternity benefit, the Maternity Benefit Act contains provisions relating to maternity leave, miscarriage, illness arising out of pregnancy or delivery, nursing breaks, crèche facilities and other employment protections, subject to the applicable conditions.
Nursing Breaks
A woman who returns to duty after delivery is entitled to nursing breaks for nursing her child, subject to the conditions prescribed under the applicable law.
Work From Home
Where the nature of work permits, work from home arrangements may be available after the maternity benefit period on mutually agreed terms between the employer and the woman employee, subject to the applicable statutory provisions.
Important Points to Remember
- This calculator provides an estimate and should not be treated as a final payroll calculation without verification.
- The calculation uses wages and actual days worked during the preceding three calendar months.
- Applicable minimum wage requirements may vary depending on the employee’s location, employment category and applicable notification.
- The calculator does not independently verify statutory eligibility.
- The medical bonus is included only when the required medical care is not provided free of charge, based on the option selected.
- Employers should verify the calculation against payroll records, applicable statutory provisions and the law in force at the time of payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is maternity benefit calculated?
Maternity benefit is calculated using the applicable average daily wage and the applicable maternity benefit period. This calculator estimates the wage benefit by multiplying the applicable daily wage by the applicable benefit days and then adding the medical bonus, where applicable.
What is the average daily wage for maternity benefit?
The average daily wage is based on the wages payable for the days actually worked during the three calendar months immediately preceding the period of maternity absence.
How many weeks of maternity benefit are available for the first or second child?
The applicable period can be up to 26 weeks for a woman with fewer than two surviving children, subject to the conditions under the applicable law.
How much maternity benefit is available for the third child or beyond?
The applicable maternity benefit period is 12 weeks where the woman has two or more surviving children, subject to the applicable statutory conditions.
Is maternity benefit available for adoption?
Specific provisions provide 12 weeks of maternity benefit for an eligible adopting mother, subject to the applicable statutory conditions.
Is maternity benefit available to a commissioning mother?
Specific provisions provide 12 weeks of maternity benefit for an eligible commissioning mother, subject to the applicable statutory conditions.
What is the medical bonus under the Maternity Benefit Act?
The calculator uses a medical bonus of ₹3,500 where the required medical care is not provided free of charge. The applicable amount should be verified against the law and relevant notifications at the time of payment.
How much maternity leave is available for miscarriage?
The applicable leave period for miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy is 6 weeks, subject to the conditions prescribed under the applicable law.
Can this calculator be used directly for payroll processing?
The calculator is intended as an estimation and planning tool. Payroll teams should verify the employee’s wage records, actual days worked, eligibility, applicable minimum wage and statutory requirements before making the final payment.
Disclaimer
This Maternity Benefit Amount Calculator is provided for general information and planning purposes only. It should not be considered legal, payroll, financial or professional advice. The actual maternity benefit payable may depend on the employee’s wage records, days actually worked, eligibility, applicable minimum wages and the law in force at the relevant time. Employers and employees should verify the applicable statutory requirements before relying on the calculation for payroll or compliance purposes.
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